Director of Major Gifts, Athletics

JOB TITLE: Director of Major Gifts, UVM Athletics

REPORTS TO: Assistant Vice President for Development

EXPECTED SALARY RANGE: $120,000 – 135,000; plus the UVM Foundation’s progressive benefits package which includes: a comprehensive health plan; dental, vision, and life insurance, a robust paid time off package; a 403(b) plan with immediate vesting and contributions; and tuition remission.

FTE: Full-Time

LOCATION: Burlington, Vermont

JOB-TYPE/HOURS: On-site. This position will require work outside of standard business days and hours as well as regular travel.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director of Major Gifts for UVM Athletics leads strategic fundraising efforts to enhance prospect engagement to secure major and principal gifts supporting athletic programs, facilities, scholarships, competitive excellence, and student-athlete success. This role manages a portfolio of high-capacity prospects and drives revenue goals through personalized cultivation and solicitation.  As a core member of the UVM Foundation team, this position requires routine engagement and collaborations within the UVM Foundation and with the administration and coaches of the UVM Athletic Department. Effective use of technology and data analytics is essential to support and grow external engagement and fundraising results.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

75%  Proactively manage a portfolio of individual prospects capable of making gifts at the 5-figure gift level and above. Prospect pool will include a combination of alumni and parents.

• Develop and execute cultivation and solicitation strategies that include the engagement of coaches and UVM athletic department leaders to drive philanthropic investment in Athletics.

• Effectively identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit major, planned, and principal gifts for the University.

• Coordinate with central Foundation programs (annual fund, gift planning, etc.) to ensure annual appeals support prospect engagement and are aligned with the most valuable outcome.

• Work closely with the Director of Athletics, ticket office staff, and coaches to integrate Athletics leadership into the fundraising enterprise.

• Prepare the Director of Athletics, coaches and other athletic department leaders to participate effectively in fundraising activities and prospect appointments.

• Plan for and leverage prospect engagement at signature games (at home and on the road) that strengthen prospect relationships and advance philanthropic opportunities.

• Lead the development of a culture of philanthropy throughout UVM Athletics and achieve the distinctiveness necessary to attract major gift donors in a highly competitive philanthropic environment.

15%    Collaborate with Foundation leadership and central support units of the Foundation to support fundraising for Athletics at the University of Vermont.

• Work with the prospect management team to identify and qualify new prospects, the donor relations team to implement best stewardship and donor recognition practices, and the communications team to craft effective case statement, campaign and other marketing materials.

• Partner with University leaders and unit-based and Foundation-based fundraisers to foster a donor-centered philanthropic culture that will maximize the philanthropic potential of prospects.

• Work with volunteers to establish a network to assist in identification and cultivation of donor prospects.

5%      Ensure effective collaboration between athletics leadership and the UVM Foundation fundraising team.

• Provide current program information and the appropriate unit contacts essential for strong development outcomes.

• Document fundraising activities regularly and effectively to support ongoing relationship development.             

5%      Other duties as assigned.

Specific standards of performance will be captured as metrics in an annual business plan.

Regular attendance at UVM Athletics competitions and events (including night and weekends) is expected.

MINIMUM SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of principles and techniques of fundraising or similar high-end financial management or sales;

• Collaborative and team-oriented style combined with the ability and desire to achieve a high level of individual productivity and success;

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities to engage high-capacity donors, alumni, coaches, and university leaders;

• Excellent verbal and written communication necessary to develop persuasive presentations and tailored proposals that cultivate long-term partnerships;

• Fast-paced self-starter with the confidence and tenacity to secure personal appointments and qualify current donors and new prospects;

• Enduring commitment to learning, entrepreneurial thinking, and ethical conduct;

• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, combined with the ability to meaningfully apply those principles to strategy development and implementation;

• Must be willing and able to travel frequently outside of Vermont, via air, train and automobile;

• Valid driver's license required.

PREFERRED SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Demonstrated success in securing philanthropic investments in the six and seven figure ranges;

• Experience in high net-worth prospect identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship;

• Proven success in developing stewardship strategies that lead to further philanthropic investments;

• Supreme strategist who overcomes obstacles, maximizes donor impact, and expertly manages multiple projects simultaneously;

• Adept at navigating the need for road travel and in-office relationships and follow-up;

• Athletics experience, as an athlete and/or professional fundraiser highly desirable, with an understanding of the role of intercollegiate athletics in a campus community.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree and at least 4 years successful sales or major gifts fundraising-related experience, preferably in higher education; or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities can be demonstrated.